BALTIMORE -- Over the past three years, Baltimore has learned plenty about Jackson Holliday.
For one, Holliday always takes time for kids. The 22-year-old Orioles infielder may lead all of baseball in autographs signed, as every day he can be spotted on the field during batting practice putting ink onto balls, gloves and all types of equipment.
Holliday also loves dogs, and not just because he seems to always hit a grand slam on Bark at the Park Nights. As many are aware, he and his wife, Chloe, have a 2-year-old bernedoodle named Coconut, and he grew up in a household filled with canines as well.
Embraced by the local community, Holliday has now found a way to give back while incorporating those passions.
On Thursday morning, the Holliday family -- Jackson, Chloe and Coconut -- visited MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore. While there, they announced they’ll be donating $500 for every Orioles home run hit the rest of the season to support pet therapy visits to MedStar Health facilities and its Child Life Program.
“I think we’re called to give back, and especially in a community that we’re probably going to spend a long time here, hopefully,” Jackson Holliday said. “To be able to just be in the community and give back, hopefully bring some joy to some pretty dark places, that’s kind of a goal for me and Chloe -- just being able to bring joy. Dogs bring us joy, and people bring us joy.”
It was also a special day for Coconut, who received his honorary pet therapy certification.
Quite a year for Coconut, right? He joined Chloe to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on April 11 -- the same night the O’s gave out a bobblehead featuring both Jackson and Coconut -- and now this.
“He has a high on sports right now, so he’s pretty pumped,” Jackson said with a smile. “We mess around that he’s way more famous than I am. When I walk around Baltimore, people ask me, ‘How’s Coconut?’ I think that’s pretty funny.”
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and a former top prospect, Holliday has known for a while he wanted to find ways to give back once becoming a big leaguer. And it’s not hard to figure out where he got that idea from.
Holliday’s dad, Matt -- a former big league outfielder -- and his mom, Leslee, launched the Homers for Health program at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, where Matt spent eight of his 15 MLB seasons playing for the Cardinals.
Now, it’s time for a new generation of Hollidays to follow in those footsteps.
“The impact that they were able to make and the relationships that they created there outside of baseball was something that was impactful to me,” Jackson said. “It’s something that me and Chloe wanted to do, and bringing in Coconut, a dog, and something that is important to us. So we’re really excited. ...
“Definitely watching my parents do that, it definitely instilled that drive to want to do that.”
The pet therapy program at MedStar Health is supported by Pets on Wheels, which supports year-round visits to all four MedStar Health hospitals in Baltimore and brings connection and joy to patients and associates alike. The visits take place in various hospital units, including in-patient, behavioral health and rehabilitation.
The MedStar Health Child Life Program provides therapeutic play and recreational activities to support children and families as they cope with illness or undergo treatment at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Through events and specialized resources, the program aims to reduce the stress and anxiety children may face during hospitalizations.
“The kid division that they have and being able to go in there and be around kids, that’s what we wanted to do, is bring dogs in to help play with kids and hopefully make them happy,” Holliday said. “We’re really excited to do this together in Baltimore.”